French RN-20 Landslide Prompts Andorran Aid for Pas de la Casa Tourism

French authorities continue stabilising the RN-20 landslide near Mérens-les-Vals after the 31 January collapse that shifted 200 cubic metres of material, including boulders of 14 and 20 tonnes dropping 20 metres across the road. Two blocks weighing 12 and 20 tonnes remain at risk on the 230- to 270-metre slope, potentially triggering another 500 cubic metres if dislodged. Officials, including Interior Minister Raül Ferré, Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor, Ariège prefect Hervé Bravant, French ambassador Nicolas Eybalin and experts, inspected the site on 10 February via suspended platforms. Bi-weekly checks persist, with France rejecting Andorra's equipment offer. Favourable weather could open an alternative route before the projected three-month closure ends, though no firm date exists.

France's South-West Roads Directorate has imposed heavy vehicle bans on RN-20, RN-320 and RN-22 until Monday evening, with potential full closures to Pas de la Casa access roads from 21:00 Friday to 08:00 Sunday due to severe weather forecasts. Andorran officials are in talks to avert a complete shutdown.

Pas de la Casa businesses face 70-80% sales declines following weak December and January, with some postponing openings or shutting down. Grandvalira lost 11,000 skier days in January and 30% fewer short-stay French visitors in early February, projecting up to 30,000 more this month. Hotels see few cancellations, with reallocations to Canillo easing pressure, though commuters endure longer trips. Parish-wide effects stay limited.

At a 10 February Canillo consuls' meeting, Encamp's Laura Mas and Canillo's Jordi Alcobé urged Andorra Turisme to promote southern France routes via Andorra la Vella, RN-66, Puymorens tunnel, Puigcerdà, Mont-Louis and 12 daily L'Hospitalet shuttles, stressing ongoing accessibility. Encamp is tailoring responses. The free L'Hospitalet-Pas shuttle, running since Saturday and jointly funded by government and Encamp at €50,000-100,000 annually, aligns with SNCF schedules.

On 11 February, following a Council of Ministers meeting, Head of Government Xavier Espot, with Ministers Conxita Marsol, Ramon Lladós, Jordi Torres and Encamp consòla major Laura Mas, announced an initial "robust and evolving" aid package to safeguard jobs without ERTEs, open to sector feedback. Espot called the situation critical, noting RN-20 as Andorra's main French link, with negotiations for earlier alternatives ongoing. Measures include: - **Fiscal relief**: IGI deferrals or instalments from 1 February; government covers 50% of employer CASS contributions for 25-50% revenue drops versus February 2025 baselines, or 100% for larger losses. - **Encamp support**: €2 million for 50-100% rebates on radicació and hygiene taxes matching CASS criteria, plus monthly grants for open businesses based on verified losses. - **Tourism incentives**: €30 weekly fuel vouchers for Occitanie residents (Haute-Garonne, Ariège, Aude, Pyrénées-Orientales), redeemable at Pas tourism office with origin proof and usage limits; 20% Grandvalira discounts on 1-2 day passes for L'Hospitalet train arrivals from 13 February. Andorra Turisme emailed 130,000 French subscribers, launched social media and website campaigns on alternatives, and awaits French response on Puymorens toll waiver. - **Mobility**: Free L'Hospitalet-Pas shuttles with 12 daily runs.

Post-crisis soft loans with 24-month repayment, corporate and personal guarantees, and government-covered interest are planned. Torres highlighted vouchers offsetting 2.5-hour detours.

Business reactions have intensified amid growing desperation in Pas de la Casa's small retail sector. Traders report severe cashflow strains, with some already delaying supplier payments or issuing refunds due to absent day-trippers—the core of their business reliant on quick French border visits. "No customers come in, no cash is made," one small shop owner said, warning of a vicious cycle where unpaid suppliers could face collapse. Many feel "abandoned" by the government package, deeming the road cuts worse than the pandemic crisis and urging immediate activation of soft loans rather than waiting post-crisis. They describe mounting psychological tolls, with some businesses on the brink despite IGI deferrals.

The fallout extends to suppliers, many self-employed relying on Pas for 80% or more of income, who report sharp drops in orders and deliveries. Seasonal workers are also departing, unable to cover fixed costs with reduced revenue, raising fears of a broader "domino effect" on jobs and other sectors if closures persist.

Larger hospitality groups hold steadier via reallocations, but small traders demand specifics on loan guarantees amid vague announcements. CEA's Gerard Cadena and EFA welcomed targeted aid but warned of shortfalls if closure lasts to May, past peak season. AEAT's Àlex Ruiz called measures helpful yet inadequate, citing a 50-person group cancellation (€10,000 loss) and 15 apartments, threatening 35% of budgets. UCAT's Raül Calvo praised free buses but questioned sufficiency for 70-80% drops; some ski rentals report stable UK and Spanish bookings. Finance Minister Lladós, on 12 February at an EFA event, predicted minimal job losses due to seasonal staff, with chains reassigning workers and small retail most exposed. Hotels count on loyal French visitors. No Envalira toll waiver or tobacco rule easing, as Espot rejected internal economic shifts.

Concòrdia called for risk assessments on RN-20 (Ax-les-Thermes to Andorra), RN-116 and N-145, plus a 6-7 year joint investment plan with France and Spain under 2022 agreements, noting unaddressed issues like the €8 million H2 gallery near L'Hospitalet. The party praised aid but echoed sector doubts on adequacy, urging diplomatic priority for RN-20 repairs. UCAT plans a 25 February forum; CES gathers loss data. Consuls set 15-day reviews, with Encamp rollout next week.